SIUE Faculty Author Text on Patient Communication

January 15, 2016, 3:20 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty members Min Liu and Lakesha Butler have co-authored the textbook “Patient Communication for Pharmacy: A Case-Study Approach on Theory and Practice.” The book was officially published Friday, Dec.18, 2015 by Jones and Bartlett Learning (www.jblearning.com).

Liu, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Applied Communication Studies within SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences. Butler, PharmD, is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in SIUE’s School of Pharmacy.

“We believe that an abstract understanding of communication can be taught through principles and theories, but applicable communication skills must be learned through practice, reflection and repetition,” Butler said. “Through this book, we hope to help students understand not only the what and why of patient communication, but also provide them with the opportunity to learn the how of using communication to improve patient care.”

The project collaboration began three years ago as the duo’s skills naturally meshed. Liu teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to health communication. Butler teaches a required pharmacy course that addresses communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds and becoming culturally competent. She also trains students to effectively communicate with patients in a primary care clinic for underserved patients. They had previous collaborative experiences at SIUE, and recognized their similar research interests and professional strengths.

“With our three health professional schools and other health related programs, one common theme is the importance of improving students’ patient communication skills, so they can better serve the increasingly diverse populations in our communities,” Liu said. “With such areas of common challenges come opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, which is exactly what happened with this project. Our shared understanding of the important role that patient communication plays in healthcare made this book possible.”

The authors believe all healthcare professionals and students can utilize the book as a communication teaching tool and resource.

“One feature that stands out in this text is the patient cases provided in each chapter, which engages students in experiential learning through practice and repetition,” Liu said. “Dr. Butler’s years of practice as a pharmacy professional and educator not only provided real life patient cases to reference, but also helped identify communication mistakes that pharmacy students are most likely to make.

“Developing communication skills through the daily practice of trial and error can be a slow process. We hope to provide pharmacy students and professionals a more efficient route for improving their patient communication.”

Photo: Min Liu, associate professor in the Department of Applied Communication Studies within SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences; Lakesha Butler, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in SIUE’s School of Pharmacy.